Adenovirus Spike: The fear of Corona has not completely ended yet that a new virus has entered the country. Adenovirus cases are increasing rapidly in West Bengal. This virus is harming children. Innocent deaths have also been reported due to the virus. At least 30 per cent of the samples sent to ICMR-NICED have tested positive for the virus.
What is adenovirus?
Adenoviruses are medium-sized and immature viruses that can cause a variety of infections, most commonly the common cold or flu. Researchers have identified about 50 types of adenoviruses that can infect humans. Although the infection can occur throughout the year, but it reaches its peak in winter. Adenovirus can cause both mild and severe infection in the body, due to which the infection mostly affects the respiratory system. This causes difficulty in breathing. It can affect everyone from children to the elderly. However, now only children are reported to be sick from West Bengal. Adenovirus can often spread in an air between newborns and young children. In this situation, children are close to each other, children put things in their mouth and the habit of washing their hands regularly is also less.People with a weakened immune system or existing respiratory or heart disease are at higher risk of developing severe disease from adenovirus infection.
How does this virus spread?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, adenovirus can cause a mild cold or flu-like illness and can infect people of all ages. It usually spreads from person to person through physical contact such as touching, shaking hands, coughing and sneezing in the air.
What are its symptoms?
Common symptoms include the common cold, fever, sore throat, acute bronchitis, inflammation of the airways in the lungs, pink eye, and acute gastroenteritis. Bladder inflammation or infection also includes neurologic disease.
What is its treatment?
There is no specific treatment for adenovirus. There are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs specifically for this disease. However, over-the-counter pain relievers and medicines can be bought to deal with the symptoms. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands and surroundings whenever possible. Avoid contact with sick people.
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